Reduce the risk of birth defects with these tips.
Birth defects usually have a genetic basis, but they can also occur from exposure to certain medications, infections and chemicals during pregnancy. These health conditions are present at birth and may be visible right away (such as extra fingers or toes) or not be immediately apparent (like hearing loss).
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), birth defects effect one out of every 33 babies born in the U.S. Birth defects are also the leading cause of death in infants in the U.S.
While not all birth defects can be prevented, there are some things a mother-to-be can do before and during pregnancy to lower the risk of certain birth defects. Here’s a look at some of the most common birth defects, and healthy tips for expectant mothers.
There are many different types of birth defects
Birth defects can impact all different parts of the body. Some have minor health implications, while others have more serious effects. Birth defects related to structural development include:
- Cleft lip or palate
- Heart defects – missing or misshaped valves, chambers, arteries or veins
- Abnormal limbs – clubfoot, additional fingers and toes or underdeveloped limbs
- Neural tube defects – issues with the growth and development of the brain and spinal cord, like spina bifida or anencephaly
Other defects can impact how certain body parts work and are known as functional or developmental defects, such as:
- Nervous system or brain problems that affect intellectual, developmental and behavioral functioning: Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome or Fragile X syndrome
- Sensory problems – hearing loss, blindness or deafness
- Metabolic disorders – phenylketonuria or hypothyroidism
See your doctor regularly
All women who are planning to get pregnant should see their gynecologist every year to discuss changes in family history, receive a pelvic exam (in some cases) and complete any recommended genetic testing. You can also discuss fertility plans, sexual concerns and vaccinations. If you’re planning to start a family, certain blood tests may be able to detect possible genetic issues that could lead to birth defects down the road.
Once you are pregnant, call your doctor right away so you can start perinatal care. Seeking routine care can help your doctor catch any potential issues, like infections or conditions that could cause problems for you or the growing fetus.
After your initial OB/GYN appointment, your doctor will discuss how often you’ll need to come in for ultrasounds and other testing, or if any specialist visits may be necessary. It’s important to stick to any and all appointments so your healthcare providers can monitor your health and how the fetus is progressing.
Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day
Folic acid, a form of the B vitamin folate, is essential for preventing brain and spinal birth defects like anencephaly and spina bifida. If you’re planning to become pregnant, add 400 to 800 micrograms of folic acid supplementation to your diet. If you haven’t started before you become pregnant, start taking a daily prenatal vitamin that contains folic acid as soon as you learn you’re pregnant.
Certain foods like fortified cereal, leafy greens, citrus and pastas may also contain large amounts of folic acid or folate, so you may want to ramp up your intake of those nutrient-rich foods, too. Not sure which prenatal vitamin or supplement to take? Ask your OB/GYN for recommendations and samples so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
Avoid alcohol
No amount of alcohol during pregnancy is considered safe, so it’s best to avoid it completely. Any alcohol consumed by a mother can pass to her baby through the umbilical cord and increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and a constellation of physical, behavioral and intellectual disabilities known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs).
If you’re having trouble with alcohol dependence, talk to your doctor or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for free, confidential, 24/7 information and resources that can help you quit.
Stop smoking
Your own health is at risk when you smoke, but smoking during pregnancy can also cause harm to a developing fetus. Heart and kidney defects as well as cleft lip, cleft palate, gastroschisis (an intestinal defect) and incomplete enclosure of the abdominal wall have been associated with smoking during pregnancy. Smoking while you’re expecting can also increase the risk of preterm birth and sudden infant death syndrome.
The best thing to do is to quit smoking before you are pregnant. If you don’t smoke, steer clear of anyone who does, since secondhand smoke can cause harm, too. If you looking to quit or you’re not sure how to start, talk with your doctor.
Practice infection prevention
Pregnant women are more at risk for certain infections. Some of these infections can cause serious illness, birth defects and disabilities that can last a lifetime. There are variety of steps to take to lower your risk of contracting infections:
- Avoid soft, unpasteurized cheeses and deli meats to lower your chances of contracting listeria, an infection that’s usually caused by consumption of contaminated food and is accompanied by fever and other flu-like symptoms.
- Steer clear of cat litter to protect yourself from toxoplasmosis, a serious disease caused by a parasite that can lead to fetal organ damage.
- Avoid contact with rodents like mice, hamsters or guinea pigs. These animals could carry the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which in serious cases could lead to meningitis, encephalitis or inflammation of the brain.
- Keep an eye on food recalls and avoid any contaminated foods.
Always practice good hygiene while pregnant, too. Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom, touching raw meats or veggies, handling pets or playing with children.
Get your vaccinations
If you contract an infection like rubella during pregnancy, it can potentially lead to poor fetal growth, heart defects, hearing loss or developmental problems. Chickenpox may also increase the risk of miscarriage, eye damage, limb defects, blindness or intellectual disabilities, so it’s important to make sure you are up to date on the recommended vaccinations.
Prior to becoming pregnant, discuss your vaccination history with your OB/GYN so you can get any necessary shots that are unsafe to administer during pregnancy, like the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine.
Manage chronic conditions
If you have any chronic conditions, like high blood pressure or diabetes, it’s important to get them under control before you become pregnant. If blood glucose levels are too high in women, there’s an increased risk of heart, brain and spine defects in the fetus as well as a greater risk of miscarriage, premature delivery and large birth weight.
Uncontrolled chronic high blood pressure prior to pregnancy can slow fetal growth, increase the risk of preterm delivery, placental abruption, low birth weight or preeclampsia. Obesity and autoimmune disorders may also increase the risk of birth defects.
Regardless of your condition, make sure you’ve consulted with the appropriate doctors prior to pregnancy about developing a management plan. If you do become pregnant, see your doctor right away to discuss safe treatment options.
Discuss all medications and supplements with your doctor
It’s always a good idea to keep your doctors in the loop when it comes to the medications and supplements you’re taking, but you’ll want to be especially forthcoming during pregnancy. What you put in your body during the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy is particularly important, since your baby’s vital organs are developing during that time. Many medications have not been tested for safety during pregnancy and others have known side effects, like heart or brain defects.
Make a list of every over-the-counter or prescription medication, vitamin, dietary supplement or herbal product you’re taking and let your OB/GYN know about them as soon as you become pregnant. If you’re trying to become pregnant, it’s a good idea to discuss your list at a routine OB/GYN visit. Your doctor may suggest alternative treatments, lower doses or you may be advised to stop taking the medication altogether. You should never start or stop taking any medication without first discussing it with your doctor, pregnant or not.
Find an OB/GYN
Your pregnancy provider is your go-to resource throughout your pregnancy and beyond. HCA Florida Healthcare has a team of expert OB/GYNs and midwives to answer all your questions — from prenatal vitamins to labor and delivery care. We also have classes and events to help you prepare for birth and after delivery.
As one of the largest healthcare providers in the state, our extensive network is home to everyone from OB/GYNs and midwives to high-risk pregnancy doctors and neonatologists. Find an OB/GYN.
